The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has filed a fresh application, asking the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, from further presiding over his ongoing trial.

The fresh application is the second filed by the Senate President asking the CCT chairman to withdraw from his trial.

The Umar-led CCT had on April 28 dismissed the earlier application which sought the withdrawal of the CCT chairman from the trial on the basis of an alleged ongoing investigation of his involvement in a N10m bribery allegation.

Our correspondent learnt on Tuesday that Saraki filed his fresh application accusing Umar of bias based on the comment made by the tribunal chairman at the last proceedings on June 7, 2016, while warning the defense team against delay tactics.

Umar had said, in response to the complaint by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), during the June 7 proceedings, “I am not happy at the delay tactics by the defence counsel and I must say this thing out that this delay tactics will not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet in this tribunal at the end of the trial.”

Saraki, in his fresh application filed by his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), alleged that Umar’s statement would prejudice the outcome of the trial.

Our correspondent learnt on Tuesday that the application had been served on the prosecution.

Meanwhile, as Saraki’s trial resumes on Wednesday, it is not certain that the application will be heard as the prosecution has yet to respond to it.

The fresh application is one in the string of the motions Saraki had filed to stop his trial since the charges were filed against him last September.

The first prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas, is expected to return to the witness box for the 12th day of cross-examination by the defence on Tuesday.

During the last proceedings on June 7, the prosecuting counsel, Jacobs, accused the defence of deliberately delaying the case.

In his response, the tribunal chairman said he had taken note of the delay tactics being deployed by Saraki’s lawyers.

Umar warned that the tactics would not in any way affect the outcome of the trial.

The comment by Umar was the basis for the fresh application by Saraki.

Meanwhile, Saraki’s lead counsel, Agabi (SAN), had during the proceedings expressed shock at the comment by the tibunal chairman and asked Umar what he meant by the “consequences” awaiting his client in the tribunal.

Agabi told the tribunal chairman that he and his client were worried over “prejudices.”

He advised the tribunal against influence from “enemies”, adding that the defence team was standing against “prejudices.”

SOURCE: http://punchng.com/saraki-files-fresh-motion-to-disqualify-cct-chairman/

Brb

You people should stop wasting our time with this Saraki case. I have come to conclusion that, though it's obvious that Saraki is guilty as charged, this case will be thrown out on technicality. Saraki will end up suing the FGN for damages.

Hmmm

pedel:
You people should stop wasting our time with this Saraki case. I have come to conclusion that, though it's obvious that Saraki is guilty as charged, this case will be thrown out on technicality. Saraki will end up suing the FGN for damages.

And u think the counsel to FG isn't aware of these Anything that makes Saraki gets off the hook, it won't augur well for FG and they know it...it's a matter of time before he's booted out..take It from me, they are just allowing him enjoy his last days as SP...remember how JEGA kept delaying the ultimate announcement to last GE?

Y

Saraki the tiff,jugde,jury,court,law,constitution, buh not Nigeria

pedel:
You people should stop wasting our time with this Saraki case. I have come to conclusion that, though it's obvious that Saraki is guilty as charged, this case will be thrown out on technicality. Saraki will end up suing the FGN for damages.

Technicalities kor, technology ni. Sue FG for damages. You think Nigeria is Kwara or Ilorin?

koboko69:


Technicalities kor, technology ni. Sue FG for damages. You think Nigeria is Kwara or Ilorin?

Stop all these excitement and always try to be circumspect on issues so history will be kind if not to u but the views u espoused.
He's talking law and u are talking sentiments. For whatever are the sins of Saraki, the moment that CCB chairman made that remark he betrays his impartiality.
In saner climes he would've bn forced out of that post thay same day. It's unthinkable that a sitting judge can utter such.

tinkinjow:

[s]Stop all these excitement and always try to be circumspect on issues so history will be kind if not to u but the views u espoused.
He's talking law and u are talking sentiments. For whatever are the sins of Saraki, the moment that CCB chairman made that remark he betrays his impartiality.
In saner climes he would've bn forced out of that post thay same day. It's unthinkable that a sitting judge can utter such. [/s]

Clowns full NL. Even a road side mechanical will come and comment on LAW.

Saraki should just face his case and stop all this dead on arrival delay tactics.